Liverpool have confirmed their intention to investigate a number of incidents at Manchester City's Etihad Stadium on Thursday night that includes the racial abuse of disabled supporters.
Jurgen Klopp's Reds returned to action in a 3-2 defeat in the Carabao Cup as Pep Guardiola's men dumped the holders out at the fourth-round stage.
Despite the entertainment on the pitch, the match was marred by a number of disturbances in the crowd that saw Liverpool 's disabled supporters abused on the tribune. Objects were also thrown from the visitors into the home end, causing injury to a teenage girl.
READ MORE: National media agree on Darwin Nunez after Liverpool lose to Man City
READ MORE: Thiago Alcantara ready for 'new era' at Liverpool after Man City loss
A City supporter was ejected from the stadium for the abuse, which is understood to be of a racist nature, that was aimed at some of Liverpool's disabled following in Manchester.
Greater Manchester Police have also launched an investigation after a 15-year-old girl suffered injuries when an object was thrown in her direction. It's understood the cuts sustained were serious enough to require treatment at the stadium on the night.
The culprit will likely face criminal charges alongside a banning from both the Etihad and Anfield and both clubs released a joint statement on Friday confirming the opening of investigations into the incidents.
The statement read: "Manchester City FC, Liverpool FC and the Chairs from our supporter groups have worked together in recent weeks to remind fans of our expectations and both clubs would like to thank the vast majority of fans for their behaviour at last night’s Carabao Cup match at the Etihad Stadium.
“It is however hugely disappointing that there were a number of incidents during last night’s match that are wholly unacceptable. These incidents will be fully investigated, reported to the police and the individuals who are found to be responsible will be subject to the sanction process of their respective club.
“Manchester City FC and Liverpool FC are fully committed to working together to eradicate these issues from our fixtures. They have no place in football.”
Greater Manchester Police's match commander, Superintendent Gareth Parkin, said: "We are aware of a number of objects, including coins and a smoke bomb, that were thrown during the match.
"We will be investigating the incidents and reviewing CCTV from the night. Clearly throwing objects in a confined area can be dangerous, and have serious and sometimes devastating consequences - GMP sends it's thoughts and wishes to the girl who was injured and wish her a speedy recovery.
"Two men were arrested on suspicion of trying to take a pyrotechnic into the ground and a male arrested for a racially aggravated public order offence. All three will be interviewed at a later date.
"A 53-year-old man was also assaulted after the game at the junction of Ashton New Road and Alan Turing Way. He was treated at the scene and required hospital treatment."
The episode will only worsen the relationship between both fanbases that perhaps reached its nadir during October's 1-0 win for Klopp's side at Anfield in the Premier League.
Mohamed Salah's goal was enough to decide that game on October 16, but the football itself was eclipsed by a handful of ugly scenes that included offensive graffiti about Hillsborough and Heysel being scrawled on to the concourses in the away end of Anfield Road.
City's supporters were also accused of singing songs about the Hillsborough disaster which claimed the lives of 97 Liverpool fans, while the visitors later alleged their team bus was subjected to missiles being thrown at it as it left the stadium.
Liverpool supporters were accused of throwing coins at Guardiola with the club releasing a strong statement at full-time confirming an investigation into those claims. That inquiry was closed at the start of this month over a lack of evidence.
As a result of the rapidly deteriorating relationship between the respective fans, a meeting between the clubs was held last month ahead of Thursday's cup tie in an attempt to keep the off-the-field flashpoints to a minimum.
It's understood senior members of management and security leads from Anfield met with their counterparts alongside representatives of Liverpool's recently-established Supporters' Board and City’s elected fan network, City Matters.
Despite the attempts to mend fences on both sides, however, Thursday's game was marred by more unsavoury events that will only serve to heighten tensions between the respective supporters.
READ NEXT
- Liverpool player ratings as Thiago and Salah impress but 'bag of nerves' poor
- Rate the Liverpool players after Carabao Cup defeat to Man City
- Liverpool await bigger picture to emerge as missing man impact clear against Man City
- Liverpool fans love what Nat Phillips did to Erling Haaland
- Jurgen Klopp makes Roberto Firmino injury admission and gives timeframe for return of Liverpool World Cup players
